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FORT MYERS, Fla. – It is quite obvious, barring injury, who the Phillies' opening day starter will be. There isn't much choice.

That man, Cliff Lee, took the mound for the Phillies on Saturday night against the Red Sox in his fourth start of the spring. Lee didn't allow a run over five innings, striking out three and walking one, and the Phils won 4-1.

With Cole Hamels injured, Roy Halladay retired and A.J. Burnett still getting his bearings in red pinstripes, Lee is essentially the only real option to pitch March 31 in Arlington, Texas, against the Rangers. Lee knows it, and so does Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg. For some reason, however, Sandberg said he is still pondering the call.

"I'm probably a couple of days away from that decision, but I'll let you guys know," Sandberg said. "It'll probably be within a couple of days."

It would be Lee's first opening day start since 2009.

"Sure, why not?" Lee said. "I can't comment on it until it makes announcement, but yeah, it makes you feel like they think you give them a good chance to win. If I happen to be the guy, I'd be honored to take the ball on the first day."

Lee was asked whether he'd be surprised if he wasn't on the mound opening day. With his usual care-free attitude, Lee said it mattered little.

"I don't know. Considering Cole is not going to be ready, I would expect to be the guy," Lee said. "A.J. Burnett is a guy that could do that easily. I'm sure he's done it several times. It doesn't really matter to be honest with you."

Lee goes about his business efficiently. No longer is he the centerpiece of blockbuster trades or the most highly touted free-agent pitcher on the market. He is four years deep into his five-year, $120 million deal and has been worth nearly every penny.

"When Cliff's on the mound and pitching that day, it raises everybody's expectations for the game. It can have a ripple effect," Sandberg said. "I think just like hitting, pitching can be contagious."

Lee threw more than 70 pitches Saturday, easily the most he's thrown all spring.

Adams 'close to game ready'

The best pitching news of all for the Phillies might be Mike Adams' progress.

Sandberg said Saturday that Adams is "close to game ready" after seeing him throw a live bullpen at Bright House Field.

Adams has struggled with shoulder problems for the last two seasons. The Phillies signed him in December 2012 to a two-year, $12 million contract to be their eighth-inning man. He missed 107 games last year, ending his season in July to have shoulder surgery that he feared could end his career.

Both Adams and Sandberg say the reliever is feeling healthy again. The only bad thing to come out of Saturday's throwing session? An errant foul ball.

"The one thing I did not like, I was too close to the net and a foul ball came back and hit me right above the eye," Sandberg said with a laugh. "That's one thing I didn't like. A little slice."

Extra innings

Ben Revere, Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd all drove in runs in Saturday's game. It's the fourth straight game the Phillies have scored four or more runs. ... Phillippe Aumont pitched two innings Saturday, the first time he's done so all spring.